Maureen Dowd Writing Style

Having served nearly thirty years at CBS News, Mr. Goldberg had earned a reputation as one of the most original writers and thinkers in broadcast journalism. However, when he observed his own industry, he realized the liberal media had completely missed their mission to give honest news. After years of sharing his observations and promoting more balanced reportings, Goldberg soon realized that no one listened because they believed they were doing the right thing. The liberal bias continued, therefore Bernard Goldberg decided to take the situation into his own hands and expose the distortion of the media himself. Goldberg’s breathtaking and shocking best seller book, Bias, reveals the close-mindedness of the news culture and their mission to entertain rather than share facts.

Through the use of rhetorical questions and assertions, Kevin Dowd writes an article called, “King Kevin Versus Queen Cersei” to inform his readers that the Democratic candidates are not prepared for the Presidency and the Republican candidates are informed/educated and are a better choice for the role as President of America.

In his State of the Union Address for 2016, Barack Obama uses logical and ethical arguments to emphasize shared ground rather than partisan disputes. He also taps into the audience’s desire to feel better about themselves and their country. By using humor and irony, Obama paints his opponents into corners, out of which it would require outrageous extremism to effectively squirm away. At its best, this approach demonstrates how much Americans actually have in common in a culture dominated by ideologically polarized cable-news channels, Facebook, and cultural tribes that increasingly live and socialize apart from one another. The president's technique throughout the speech is to frame issues through a rhetorical jujitsu to persuade his opponents,

With the impending election looming closer and closer, the approach of the presidential throne seems to elicit a plethora of opinions on who is the most viable candidate. However, the candidate that has caused controversy at every angle possible is none other than Donald Trump. Famous for his extreme affluence and most notably his TV drama, The Apprentice, President-elect Donald Trump has integrated his unctuous persona into his campaign. The San Diego Union Tribune’s article on Donald Trump, “…Great Power and Greater Irresponsibility”, introduces us with the possibility that Donald Trump is not the “Make America Great American” man he claims to be, and in fact he is the exact opposite. While for some Americans, his aversion to political correctness is admirable and induces a strong support; many are adverse to his social conduct and view his idiosyncrasies polar to the fabric of the Constitution. The article brings forth a target audience of both non-supporters and supporters alike in grave attempt to eradicate this supposed allure of Trump.

As a barely twenty-year-old junior at a sheltered private college, I have to confess that it’s been very hard to conceptualize and realize the severity of the 2016 election. What started off as a race of what seemed like a million different candidates, the polls quickly zoned in on two candidates we could’ve never predicted to be the voting citizens’ final choice. It’s both overwhelming, and simple, deceitful, and truthful – this election seems to be full of contradictions and half truths, and the opaque nature of a once seemingly transparent media complicates matters further in an election that seems convoluted even on paper. Along with the legislative branch, the media itself has turned into a monster we never thought we’d have to wrangle. We are surrounded by propaganda, caricatures, and cartoons everywhere we turn, especially in print media like

Molly Ball’s uses of argumentative techniques were effective in her article, “There’s Something About Bernie.” With the article written while people's interest in Sanders is rising, the timing aspect of Kairos is fit. It’s written early enough in the election that it’s still a persuadable moment for many, with many people still in a state of uncertainty and willing to change their minds. The article is set up with an introduction of the topic, followed by a narration of the speaker’s time with Sanders, and then proof of his popularity using experiences seeing his crowds of supporters. Refutation follows after that, with the views of those who oppose him discussed, and finally, a conclusion. The style uses proper language, clarity, vividness, decorum, and ornament. This style is used to portray scenarios with storytelling of the experiences that express the excitement Sanders has generated.

The second presidential debate demonstrates an indecisive clash between opposite personalities; the rehearsed demeanor of Hillary Clinton juxtaposes the raw audacity of Donald Trump. Despite their dissimilar appearance, the candidates employ like strategies – they deflect accusations and criticize their adversary. Clinton suffers to succeed in this format. Neither knowledge of policy nor experience in office effectively counter accusations against personal character. This observation is nonetheless irreverent. Although Trump dominates the debate format, he alienates the electorate.

The national media is instrumental in allowing the electorate to develop opinions about contemporary issues. The media is incredibly influential and its power can be wielded for the benefit of all, or it can become a detriment to society. Some media outlets seek to sensationalize the news, sacrificing informing voters in favor of the bottom line. It is through people and organizations who seek to provide the most accurate and impartial view of an event that popular sovereignty gains much of its power. A commitment to informing the public, even when the information conflicts with a writer’s social and political philosophy, can be a difficult one to maintain. Yet, reporters uphold it everyday. This can be seen in the news site CNN (Cable News Network), which is known for having a liberal bias. Despite said bias, it does not shy away from portraying Hillary Clinton, a democrat, as a flawed candidate in an effort to be unbiased. Such a commitment is essential to creating a political and social dialogue in our nation, and as the saying goes, “when dialogue fails, democracy fails.”

Gail Collins brings a certain fearless voice to The New York Times. Her witty remarks attacking the presidential candidates and other political faces on their views and their statements, while also having the ability to dig deeper than most, and bringing light to issues that most would ignore is what makes Collins such a valuable voice for Americans; she is not afraid to play the player and bear the political faces naked of their lies.

I thoroughly enjoyed the task of depth analysis and comparison as this was an excellent way to compare differing author’s choices and opinions. It was an opportunity to dive deeper into the text and break apart varying elements. It truly showed how straight, un-slanted news reports do not question the readers and simply inform them. On the other hand, a particular columnist’s piece challenges the reader and forces them to wrestle with their own opinion. Maureen Dowd, particularly executed this task remarkably. As she did not heavily focus on her liberal opinions that often, but rather realized that even her party had flaws. She looked at the bigger picture of this election and analyzed in such a way, that it wasn’t always evident which viewpoint she supported. She was open minded in order to bring controversy to her readers and spark a legitimate

In the column Back to Mencken’s America (2016), Jonah Goldberg, popular columnist writer of the Los Angeles Times, argues that “both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are unworthy and unqualified to be president” and that we should return to “American politics” that H.L. Mencken and Albert J. Nock established during the 20th century. Goldberg enlightens this urge of return by juxtaposing America today to it’s past (“America looks very different from Mencken and Nock’s era”), by contrasting the different people at fault (“you’re not just wrong, you’re a bigot”), and by comparing the competition of politics (“enemy defined as anyone who doesn’t agree”). Using examples from actual events (“registered Democrat murdered 49 Americans at a gay nightclub”),

Georgia O'Keeffe is an American artist, who lived during American Modernism (“Georgia O’Keeffe”). She inspired many artists throughout her time and even after. She liked to use landscapes and architecture as subject matter (“Georgia O;Keeffe”). The historical context is significant during the time. Her style and type of artwork are very specific to who she was as an artist and a person because she loved the outdoors and beautiful landscapes. I fell in love with her art while in the library finding an artist to write about.

Maureen Dowd, renowned American reporter, published her first article in 1973. Dowd was first hired by the Washington Star following her graduation from the Catholic University. Since then, Dowd has become prominent in the journalism world due to her cynical, cheeky articles. Dowd’s writings are centered around politics, and scrutinize both Republican and Democrat parties. Her writings have been published by Time Magazine, the Washington Star, and The New York Times. Glamour Magazine named Dowd as the woman of the year in 1966, prior to her 1999 Pulitzer Prize win. Throughout her career, Dowd has served as a White House correspondent, and published several books, including Bushworld (2004), and The Year of Voting Dangerously (2016).

While Dowd maintains a unique, narrative-like style in her column; the contrasting tones she uses to speak about her own father as opposed to U.S. President Donald Trump are quite pronounced. Speaking about her father, Dowd predictably remembers him the passage with an image of simple, sensible, and wise. The story she presents of him is set in 1947, and since he just left WWII, he has a natural reaction when he finds out anti-Semitism festers in his neighborhood. Essentially, he can tell no difference between a Nazi and a homegrown racist, and treats this man just the same as a German soldier. Her account reads somewhat like a 1940s propaganda piece - she easily depicts her father as a man simply defending the purports of the war his country

Once the last page of Say What You Will is turned, readers are left with wanting more on more than one occasion. The novel ends with a promise of the future for its love interests but leaves them with slight doubt. The first half of the book is enjoyable focusing mainly on Amy and Matthew's development of their relationship. They become friends and slowly begin to find each other in ways they didn't think could happen before. The writing style used by Cammie McGovern is beautiful in executed all the mixed up feelings Ay and Matthew share throughout the novel. Each protagonist is depicted in very different ways and both their flaws are very evident which is pleasing; to not pretend they don't have problems they must face. The side characters